National Food Agency Strengthens Rice Supply Chain Oversight in Central Java
The National Food Agency (Bapanas) is strengthening the oversight of the rice supply chain in Central Java through the Rice Price and Quality Oversight Task Force. This move is intended to ensure the stability of maximum retail prices (HET), maintain quality, and guarantee consistent availability of rice.
Rinna Syawal, Head of the Bureau of Planning, Cooperation, and Public Relations at Bapanas, stated that this enhanced oversight is being conducted through multi-stakeholder collaboration. This involves the National Police Food Task Force at both central and regional levels, local governments, and the state-owned enterprise Perum Bulog in monitoring rice conditions.
“The government has begun mobilising the Rice Price and Quality Oversight Task Force. This multi-stakeholder collaboration initiated by Bapanas involves the National Police Food Task Force, both central and regional, alongside local governments and Perum Bulog,” Rinna confirmed in Baubau, Southeast Sulawesi, on Thursday.
Bapanas hopes that the synergy of the Central Java Rice Price and Quality Oversight Task Force will ensure that the implementation of the maximum retail price for rice adheres to government regulations and provides certainty to the public.
Rice oversight is being conducted comprehensively, ranging from producers, distributors, and traditional markets to modern retail outlets, to ensure the supply chain functions effectively and rice prices remain controlled.
In its implementation, a joint team—comprising the Special Crimes Directorate of the Central Java Regional Police, and departments for food, trade, licensing, and agriculture, alongside Bulog—is focusing its monitoring on rice commodities within the region.
“We will not only be in the markets, but also visiting producers, distributors, and modern retailers. For this mission, our focus is specifically on the rice commodity,” she added.
Rinna explained that she had participated in a coordination meeting with the Central Java Regional Police ranks in Semarang.
Bapanast emphasized that the scope of oversight includes everything from producers to the retail level in traditional markets and modern retail. Furthermore, the availability and selling price of rice under the Food Supply and Price Stabilisation (SPHP) programme will also be monitored.
“The three components we will monitor are premium rice, medium-grade rice, and SPHP rice. Central Java is in Zone 1; therefore, premium rice is priced at Rp14,900 per kilo, medium-grade rice at Rp13,500 per kilo, and SPHP rice at Rp12,500 per kilo,” said Rinna.
Meanwhile, the Head of Bapanas and Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman, ensured that rice price fluctuations are not caused by declining stocks. National rice stocks are adequate, including the Government Rice Reserve (CBP) which serves as a buffer for intervention programmes.
“When we checked recently, it was not due to stocks, as there is plenty of rice. Do not forget that farmer welfare is at its highest in history according to the Farmer Terms of Trade (NTP),” Amran stated.
He also called for enforcement actions, ranging from formal warnings to the closure of businesses, for entrepreneurs proven to be ignoring warnings and continuing to violate the maximum retail price regulations.